History Made at Kānihi

The South Taranaki District Council’s inaugural meeting made history on Wednesday , as the district’s first Māori Ward councillors were welcomed on board.

From left: Māori Ward councillor Tuteri Rangihaeata, Te Aroha Hohaia, who will serve on the Te Hāwera ward, Māori ward councillor Leanne Horo and mayor Phil Nixon

The new council was sworn in at Kānahi Māwhitiwhiti Pā at Okaiawa, the first time its inaugural meeting had been held on a marae.

The ceremony followed a powhiri where speakers talked of the importance of the council and iwi working together and reiterating their support for the councillors elected to the two new Māori wards.

After the powhiri, Te Tai Tonga Māori Ward councillor Tuteri Rangihaeata​ said he felt very fortunate.

“I feel ready to serve our people, our iwi, hapu and marae. I feel the taumaha (weight), but it's a good responsibility. I’m not afraid of it.”

Te Kūrae Māori Ward councillor Leanne Horo said she felt excited and honoured by her new role.

“It’s a big thing, with big expectations shared by everyone.”

The crowd inside.

Nixon said he was ready to “hit the ground running” in his second term, which he hoped would not have the massive disruptions of his first three years.

He said the council’s ability to work together was one of its strengths.

“We don’t always agree and nor should we, but we all work together for the betterment of our community.”

Having the two Māori ward councillors was the beginning of a new era, he said.

Framed copies of the Deed of Sale and a list of signatories for the block of confiscated land were presented.

Also new to the council is Te Aroha Hohaia, who will serve on the Te Hāwera ward.

In his speech to the gathering, Nixon remembered the late Ngāruahine kuia Daisy Noble, who was instrumental in the rebuild of Māwhitiwhiti Kanihi Pā, but died in January 2021, before it was completed.

“I imagine Daisy would have been looking down on us, she would be very pleased with what’s happening today.

The late Daisy Noble, an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, was remembered for her work in the rebuild of the marae, which she never got to see completed.

“She never got to see it, and it would have been wonderful to have her here today.”

The council presented a gift of framed copies of the Deed of Sale and list of signatories for the block of confiscated land where one of the major battles of the land wars in South Taranaki was fought, which was handed back to Ngaruahine on September 17.

At the formal meeting, Nixon announced that councillor Rob Northcott would be his deputy for a second term.